Swedish Police Acquitted in Lessebo Honor Killing Investigations Despite Misconduct Findings

In a complex and tragic series of events surrounding honor killings in Lessebo, Sweden, police officers have been acquitted of criminal charges related to their handling of allegations made by victims Shahida and Lima Khan. The Luleå District Court ruled in February 2026 that despite police officers committing misconduct by failing to properly document serious allegations of rape and abuse, these actions were classified as minor offenses, resulting in acquittals.

Shahida Khan, 22, was murdered by her family in May 2024 after being lured back to Småland following her escape from honor-based oppression. Days before her death, she reported a serious crime committed by her father to a policewoman, who interrupted the meeting to declare her duty to report any further information. This interaction drew criticism, triggering an investigation into the police's conduct. Although the court acknowledged the policewoman's misconduct, it was deemed not punishable due to the rapidly changing circumstances.

Similarly, Lima Khan, 23, was found strangled and burned in Lessebo in May 2024. Her brother confessed to the killing, and their father was sentenced to 16 years, while the brother received a life sentence. Prior to her death, Lima had disclosed to police that she had been raped by her father. However, police failed to file the obligatory report, prompting a trial against the responsible officer. The Luleå District Court concluded the failure to report was a service error but classified it as a minor offense.

Both cases underscore systemic issues in how sensitive allegations were handled by authorities, with the victims' fathers ultimately convicted of involvement in honor killings. The court's decisions highlight the challenges faced by law enforcement officers working under stressful and dynamic circumstances but have sparked debate about police accountability and the protection of vulnerable individuals from honor-based violence in Sweden.